Mikeycelle

Originally Posted by MyTye2B 

 

Quick question for anyone who has been in contact with the spa - do you know if they use a primer or something to help your makeup stay on better in the heat with how oily our skin can get there?  Especially for eyelids?  I am going to send a quick email but maybe someone here can answer quicker.  Thanks!  xo Lauren

Hi Lauren! I had my makeup and hair done at Zentropia Spa. They use MAC products. I suggest going to MAC and ask a professional on what's best for your face. They used primer and a setting spray for my face. I have combination skin and the products stayed on well.  Luckily my makeup did not melt off in the 90 degree humidity as you see on the video. I brought my own eye makeup for more dramatic colors. They had a huge collection of eye makeup anyway. Always speak up if you don't like how the makeup is applied or the colors are not to your liking. Also remember you are hiring someone to give you a special look that is different from what you'd normally look like. If you want to look like your usual then don't waste money on a makeup artist. Makeup should accentuate your features. My lipstick had to be reapplied time to time from kissing the hubby and the shots we took all night! Have your maid of honor or mom carry lipstick and facial tissue.

Originally Posted by caseylynndavis 

 

Maricelle....

Your video is perfect! What was the second song that was played during your video? How did you guys get to playa? via cab? if so, how much, and was it sketchy at all in the walmart...i speak a little spanish, and alot is healthcare geared, so it won't serve me too well there Hope you newlyweds are doing great!

Casey

Hi Casey! Thank you for your kind compliments on our video! I'm not sure what that second song was since Agustin picked the songs for our video. 

It was about $15 by cab. Walmart was better than some Walmarts in the US. The consumers are tourists and those who are residents on the Riviera Maya. We're still in honeymoon mode =)

Originally Posted by MyTye2B 

 

It’s been a while since I’ve been here and as usual I’ve missed a lot while I was away!  Here is a picture from my weekend.  It was awesome to get to do the ‘legal’ stuff in a fun and romantic way.  It was actually a lot more meaningful than I thought it would be, saying the vows in a back seat of a limo lol.  But I don’t want to tell too many people about it since we want it to be special and real in Mexico.  To us, that is our real wedding, we were just lucky enough to make the paperwork part fun. 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Sarah, and congratulations on your wedding and choosing Grand Palladium!  Although I haven’t been married there yet, I can tell you honestly that it is a beautiful resort, that I have nothing but positive things to say about Vanessa, our coordinator, and that I’ve heard only great things from the other brides who have had weddings here.  I hope you find this forum to be a valuable resource as I know we all have as we plan for our weddings.  If you read back a loooong way, a lot of your questions are sure to be answered and we can certainly help with anything you need to know as well.

 

Also welcome to tengotulove.  I wish you all the best in finding a resort that works perfectly for the both of you.  J  Honestly we are not the biggest nightlife people.  We’ll party a whole lot during the day lol, and then wear ourselves out.  I do think that Cancun would have the good night life that your fiance is looking for, but I haven’t researched too much into what the nightlife is like at Grand Palladium.  Vanessa our coordinator did send information about organizing a group trip to Coco Bongos (I’ve actually been there when I was a lot younger and it was a blast I just don’t think I could handle it these days, haha) so I do know that it is possible and I really don’t think it’s too much at all.  If you decide to get married here I do think you’ll love the resort and the people!  We booked through a TA and I’d recommend it.  In this case it’s nice to have someone else do the work and it’s hard to coordinate all of the people especially when it’s a time you don’t want to be stressed.  Our guests ended up paying just under $1400 each although that’s in August and it’s not a prime time.  Come back and let us know what you decide! 

 

Jen that’s awesome that you’ve had so much luck with Michael for the hair and makeup.  You’re smart to get stuff organized now because trust me life will get busy lol.  And anyone who is that great with communication is a good thing.  You don’t want to worry on your wedding day whether they will show up so I am so happy to hear that they’ve been so open with you and you trust them.  J

 

Mikeycelle it was SO nice to hear from you again!  Your picture from Del Sol is gorgeous!  Obviously, haha – their work is incredible!  I am so happy to be reminded again of what a perfect day you had.  I hope all the months since have been just as perfect.  J  Thank you for reminding us not to over pack.  Haha, Tyrel and I are allowed 4 bags each for free up to 50 pounds and I am having trouble figuring out how I’ll fit it all in, even with that allowance!  It’s good to know that Walmart is so easy and close.  Your video was awesome!  Thank you so much for sharing.  I had to watch it without sound haha, because Tyrel is sleeping but aside from the fact that you were stunning, the cake was gorgeous, the fireworks during your dance were amazing, the scenery looked so perfect!  I’m so glad that we got a videographer too to capture our day.  Now I am wishing they were there for longer to capture the party too!  Haha, unfortunately I don’t think that’s in the budget but your video is so great!

 

Carlota I have to listen to the Piano Guys song but I am on my laptop in bed and Tyrel is sleeping so I don’t want to wake him up. I will have to listen to it tomorrow.  We also just finished putting most of the songs that the DJ won’t play (so for the ceremony) on the computer but now I have to make sure they are all good and put them on an iPod.  I think I will use that My Wedding DJ app.  But like you, I just have to do it!  Lol.  Also about the weather I am SO glad that they will wait until 3 pm to finally decide.  It seems like it would be a LOT to put together in just about a half an hour if they wait that long, but I bet they can do it.  We’ll just keep praying for no rain! 

 

I have to say your dress is soooo beautiful!!!  I love the extra line of beading, what a smart decision.  It really makes the dress and will pull you all in I think.  Your guest seating cards are so nice too.  I have been working tonight on my seating chart.  I think in the end we will have 7 round tables plus our head table with 10 people at it.  We have 60 people now booked officially.  Phew!  Some of the round tables will not be full though, one we only have 5 people at and 2 others will only have 7 people.  Do you think that is ok?  It is just how it worked out with families and couples. 

 

For our menu cards Tyrel and I have to work on them this weekend.  Carlota your message in a bottle menus sound amazing.  Please share a picture when they are all done!  I would have loved to do that but it sounds like so much work.  You are much more patient than me haha.  I am also trying to put last minute things together for our OOT bags but now that we have so many more people coming I need to go buy extras of things like the Tylenol, which I originally found at the Dollarama and I only bought 15 of, but now we will have 27 rooms so I need 12 more, but I can’t find them for cheap anymore.  I’m debating if I should wait to see if they get them back in stock for cheap or just buy the more expensive ones?  I am also finding the same thing with the TUMS and a few other items that I still need to purchase.  Right now I feel like I am running out of money big time.  It’s our first full month in our new house so we are now getting all of the bills like our first cable bill, our first utility bill and the property taxes have been reassessed and we owe $600 more so I’m kind of freaking out that this is all happening 3 weeks before we leave for the wedding haha!  I also have to bring all of the money in cash to pay for my alterations for my dress which I go see on Saturday (can’t wait for that though!  That’s way more exciting than property taxes haha!)

 

Were you able to find strapless bikinis?  I have been looking for a white bikini, but as I’ve mentioned before I have a big old bum and no regular bathing suits seem to fit me.  I’d love to be able to find a S, M, or L that actually fit me but even XL bottoms don’t (I have a M top) so the only real bathing suit store in town is Swimco where the prices are stupid, like $200+ for a bathing suit that comes in big booty size which I’d probably pay since it is for the wedding but I don’t even like the styles, they’re all ugly.  So in Las Vegas I saw an awesome white, strapless bathing suit with like a gold rope chain across the chest – it doesn’t sound nice but it was so sexy!  But the bottoms didn’t fit (obviously).  I should have just bought the top, and then looked for separate bottoms here, but I was all mad so I didn’t haha.  And now I regret it.  Tonight I just found this online:

 

 

 

 

 

 

It almost seems too good to be true since it was so cheap, simple, free shipping from the UK to Canada (I will pay duty) and came in size big butt!  I am praying it will fit me, since I was really, really leery about ordering a bathing suit online.  I used to do it all the time from Victoria’s Secret but my body was different back then.  We’ll see!  They do allow you to return too.   Maybe when Claire gets back she can tell us if UK sizes fit like Canadian sizes, haha.  It even says it will be here in 9 days.  We leave in 21 for the wedding so I hope it comes! 

 

Well I'd better get to bed too!  I have 2 more classes to train at work, one next week and one the week after, and then from August 10th I am off and we leave on the 14th.  I can't wait!! 

 

Goodnight, Ladies!  Lauren

Hi Lauren!

Thank you for the sweet compliments! I'm still dreaming about our wedding week!

Your Las Vegas wedding pics looks so exciting! Very cool! Hope you won something in the casinos!

Celle

Hi GP Brides!

It's been a while since I've posted. I had my wedding 3 months ago at GP's church- Nuestra Senora de las Nieves. I got my awesome trash the dress shoot pictures from Del Sol Photography! I've posted a review about our day with Matt Adcock. 

We also got our mini 5 minute movie from Agustin Lira of Cinematic Riviera Maya. It's posted on Vimeo.com. Look under Cinematic Riviera Maya and find Maricelle+ Michael.

They definitely captured defining moments and they have a modern and artistic way of shooting. I cried watching this mini movie because I never thought everything look as good as we imagined our day to be! You'll see the  Catholic ceremony,  DJ Doremixx with cold fireworks and lit dance floor, the exquisite flowers from Vanessa Jaimes, my hair and makeup done at the Spa, our groomsmen being good sports sweating in their Vera Wang tuxes from the Men's Warehouse. It was unusually hot and humid for April this year! But the guys looked like they stepped out of GQ magazine!

You'll see how they set up for the reception at La Laguna and the photo shoots in the covered walkways. 

A lot of love and happiness with our closest friends and family and the only stress we had was me fitting into my gown! Lay off the guacamole and salt girls!!

Oh yes, don't overpack! If you forgot something, you can always take a trip to Walmart in Playa Del Carmen which about a 20 minute car ride from GP. So much cheaper over there! Souvenirs such as maracas, fans, candles can be purchased there. 

People always remember the food and music and they will definitely remember your wedding because of this fantastic trip to Mexico!

Happy Planning to all you lovely brides!

Our Wedding gift to each other: Cenote Shoot with Del Sol Photography

Crestena! Congratulations to you and your hubby! You looked absolutely breathtaking! What a gorgeous family! I'm so thrilled that everything went well for you on your big day. Your gown, hair and flowers were beautiful! Your hubby looks great with the fedora on. At least he didn't have any hair issues lol! I love the color combo! Glad you went with a Spanish Trio. Live musicians really kick it up a notch. 

I know Vanessa was running around like a maniac as usual! How awesome was she?? I love that girl! 

Congratulations again!

Hi Caseylynndavis,

Thank you for the kind compliments! I hired Vanessa Jaimes of Vanessa Jaimes Floral Designs. She is very talented and very skilled in designing her arrangements. We had been emailing each other in English. I had no problem communicating with her. Her flowers were fresh and beautiful. My bouquet which was not from Mexico ran $300 USD. They were white dendrobiums, phaelanopsis orchids and cattleya orchids. This is my dream bouquet. I could've gone cheaper and simpler but I love the beauty of orchids. I wanted roses, orchids and lilies. The prettiest flowers in bold, romantic colors of red, purple and pink. You may contact Vanessa Jaimes through her website: Vanessajaimes.com. 

She also provided flowers for my cake which was done by Zaida Marcos of Dolcet Cakes. Her prices vary depending on the complication of design and availability of flowers. Mine ran about $2K USD for the wedding party, bouquets, boutonierres and corsages and centerpieces.

I didn't have a band but I had a pianist, cellist, violinist and a soprano performing at the wedding in church. I hired Musicancun. Check them out in Youtube.com. I don't speak Spanish at all and they communicate in English well.

I had a DJ play at the reception. I wanted a party atmosphere so I hired Doremixx. They provided a great selection of music. They went by my timeline. They played whenever someone requests a song. My cousin sang "Endless Love" with her husband as a surprise for us.They provided props like masks, balloons and even cold fireworks. 

I payed extra for the lit dance floor which is so different from any wedding I've been to. Just give them a playlist and they will play it for you. I emailed them exactly what I wanted played in addition to taking requests from our guests. I paid less than $2k USD. 

Mariachi band was $650 USD. Vanessa my wedding coordinator found them for me and I have heard them play during our wedding week at some of the weddings previous to ours. They really give the wedding a Mexican feel and everyone enjoyed them.

I feel that good food and great music make a great party. Flowers and decor set the mood. We wanted a romantic, sexy and sultry night of celebrations and we certainly achieved it with our carefully chosen vendors and the open air venue of La Laguna in Grand Palladium.

Crestena- Good luck to you! May you have a wonderful wedding week free of mosquitos, sunburn and rain! Everything else will go into place if you planned well. Make sure your wedding coordinator has copies of everything, seating charts, vendors and unpaid balances. Put tips and remaining cash balances with names on the envelopes. I had envelopes for each vendor, for Vanessa, for the wait staff even the the guy who drove me to the Church! Tips go a looong way!

Don't sweat the small stuff literally! And if you forgot to do something, it wasn't that important in the first place! I forgot to print out the menus which I'm sure noone even noticed. However people noticed Mike's mom breaking the taper during the candle ceremony. You can't do anything but laugh! Vanessa fixed the candle and the Mass goes on.

If someone wanted to know what they ate, I'll just email them the wedding menu.

No worries and whatever fiasco happens, it can be fixed and for the most part will go unnoticed. People will get sick, stub a toe, suffer from sunburn. You can't control that. Just be your pretty self and smile all the way through. Your guests will feed off your joy and excitement. When they feel you stress, they stress too. Leave it to your wedding coordinator to stress for you. She almost always has a backup plan and she does it with grace and professionalism.

Our Floral centerpieces by Vanessa Jaimes! I love how they turned out! Picture frames by me! Red and pink roses, alostremerias, purple dendrobiums, pink lilies, curly willow and floating candles. Bridesmaid in the background.

Stawberry Champagne cake with strawberries and chocolate filling by Dolcet Cakes! Flowers by Vanessa Jaimes.

Mariachi Band was worth it!

Our invitation from Momental Designs, missalette and my memorial to Dad.

Hi Palladium Brides and brides to be! 

Mike and I got back on early Wednesday morning and there was just so much activity going on!

We had 60 guests all together from New York, California, Missouri, Hawaii and the Philippines. 

We stayed at the Royal Suites which was very quiet and cozy.

We had our welcome bags which we gave to each lobby our guests were staying in. Front desk wouldn't normally do this but since our bags are the same size as GP's welcome guest packets, they accepted them.

My cousins had two friends they wanted to invite last minute and Vanessa accomodated them.

I'd like to say things went better than expected. Our vendors came through and the service was above and beyond!

All 60 of our guests had a amazing time. They all partied, swam,drank, and ate all week leading up to the wedding day.At night, we hit up the Colonial adult pool and the Sunset Disco which had the hottest parties! It was a European party crowd and we New Yorkers love a good party! I had my bachelorette party there!

We had a rehearsal at the church and dinner at Kabah buffet which was set up very nicely. There we gave the bridesmaids and flowergirl their gifts from us. Pink Hello Kitty bags, red lace tanktops with the word bridesmaid in crystals, gold tone jewelry with crystals. My flowergirl received her princess flowergirl gown, Hello Kitty bag and flowergirl book. My ringbearer got his tux and ringbearer book.

The was a few hiccups like me not fitting into my gown! It had fit me perfectly in New York. I had too much salt from the guacamole and chips and I was half an inch away from fitting into my dream gown!  I was in tears,girls! So I ran to the sauna and sweated like mad! I called Vanessa who was very helpful! 

Vanessa sent Manuel who is Palladium's costume designer. He was a sweet little old man who picked up my gown the day of my wedding at 7 AM, used the existing material from my gown and made the corset wider! The wedding was at 4 in the Church. Manuel came at 12:30 with my gown. 

My sis, mom and I were at Zentropia Spa getting our hair and makeup done. I brought my own MAC makeup for the beauticians to use.I'm quite pleased with how they did our makeup and hair. They put in a lot of hairspray since it was so humid! At 2:30 Manuel, my mom and bridesmaids fit me into my gown.I was so happy and relieved, I gave Manuel a $20 tip.

My white orchid bouquet from Vanessa Jaimes came in fresh and beautiful! The only complaint I had was the blooms did not stay in place on the bouquet handle. I wrapped my blue rosary beads around the handle together with a locket with Dad's picture.

Pedro, our Royal Suites driver, was so excited for us that he purposely changed his schedule so he can drop me off at the Church! He wanted to see me in me in my very heavy gown! He was the best driver in the Royal Suites. Always had a friendly disposition and a smile for us! 

Our priest said the Mass in English with such a heavy accent that our guests could hardly make out what he was saying. Thankfully, I had printed out our missalette word for word in English so everyone could follow along with what he was saying. People thought he was uptight but I didn't care. We felt the words and blessings is all that matters.

Our mothers had difficulty lighting the candles because of the electric fans which cooled the Church. Father Jorge brought the candles to us and had us light them at our kneelers. During holy communion, Father Jorge only gave communion to those in front. I guess because he had another wedding after ours. It was such a hot humid day!

Most of our day took up picture taking! Benchwerk Photography did such an amazing job! They worked very well with our cinematographer Agustin Lira and Perla of Cinematic Riviera Maya.

Cocktail hour was at Las Rocas Bar by the Saltwater pool. The bridesmaids and groomsmen were sweating like mad but were such good sports! My bridesmaids wore red, cotton dresses from Asos.com (my gifts among a few others) and the groomsmen wore Vera Wang tuxes which the guys peeled off after the ceremony. One groomsman was an hour away from passing out! He was given water and soda. Make sure your guests eat a good and nutritious breakfast/lunch before the ceremony and hydrate well!

We had an awesome Mariachi band playing through cocktail hour. Our guests lounged on the bali beds while we took photographs all over the saltwater pool. Just isn't Mexico without the mariachis!

My cinematographer and photographer took us through the covered walkways for some cool shots. Little did we know Vanessa lost us! She had no idea where we were photographing! One moment we were at the Saltwater pool next thing we were gone!

We photographed through the jungle, the pontoon boat on the manmade river, even in between the pillars of the jacuzzi! Thank goodness I had flipflops!

Finally Vanessa located us sitting on one of the loungers by La Laguna chilling, catching our breath.After cocktails at Las Rocas Bar, our guests were already seated at La Laguna, got their seating postcards and waiting for us. So we caught up with the rest of our party for the lineup. We were announced and danced to Christina Perri's a Thousand Years on DJ Doremixx's lighted dance floor to the delight of everyone. Vanessa and staff came around handing our sparklers as we danced. DJ Eliu Sanchez of Doremixx set off cold fireworks at the end of the song! My photographer did not expect it!  Our sweetheart table was decorated with pillars of floating candles.

The food was delicious! We had a 5 course dinner of chicken caesar salad, seafood soup with Pernod, mango sorbet to cleanse the palate, Surf and Turf which was shrimp and sirloin with potato and vegetable, canolis and our yummy cake from Zaida Marcos of Dolcet Cakes.

We danced through the night! We even had a wedding crasher who grabbed one of our guests' bottom to the dismay of his wife! Vanessa walked right over and told the woman to leave otherwise she would call security. My glass was never empty and shots of tequila and other yummy concoctions all around!  We danced, drank and ate! Yes, we ate every course!

Vanessa was amazing! She and her assistant Alma were just going nonstop through the day! 

I couldn't be more pleased but when Michael and I went to our room, it was decorated with lovely towel art with red rose petals, candles nestled in rose petals leading up to a ready drawn bubble bath! Perfect for our aching feet! There chocolate covered strawberries and champagne chilling in an ice bucket.

Yes we tipped Vanessa and her staff very well along with our vendors. Everyone was very professional and our Maitre'd was accomodating.

The very next day, my husband and I, ( HUSBAND! EEEE!)  and our cousins went to Xplor for more exhausting fun!

Hi Crestena, my fellow New Yorker! You can't go wrong with a cathedral length veil. It's so dramatic, romantic and will go well with your gown! I am still waiting on my gown which is being shipped in a great big box by DHL. I am so anxious and nervous! Insomnia had set in! So ladies, everything else is being paid off. Dollar bills are sprouting wings and flying off! Centerpieces and wedding party flowers from Vanessa Jaimes, DJ Doremixx, Musicancun for the string quartet in church, mariachi band, sparklers, Cocktails and reception in La Laguna, GP, cake by Zaida Marcos of Dolcet Cakes in Cancun, gowns by Edward Teng from Manila, Philippines, photographer Matt Adcock from Del Sol Photography for cenote shoot, our cinematographer Agustin Lira from Cinematic Riviera Maya, hair and makeup from Zentropia Spa, my good friends Chris and Carol of Benchwerk Photography, NYC. I'll post reviews and pics on each of them soon!

Hi Sue! Thank you for posting the review on the food! We're opting for the Surf and turf as well. We're having our reception at La Laguna also. I loved the buffets there too! Huge selections! I liked the Brazilian, Mexican and Italian a la cartes. The Asian restaurant was ok and we liked the Japanese restaurant. We're going to try Mare Nostrum ( Seafood) and Rib's and More. We also want to try the steak place. The USA doesn't recognize the Church wedding as a legal wedding either. 2 more weeks and we're in Mexico! Time definietely flies! Now it's just packing and unpacking of stuff!

Hi Sue! Congratulations! These photos came out so beautifully! You look so radiant! The church looks looks so lovely and the flowers are my wedding colors too! I love the church in GP! I think it's the prettiest church of all the resorts =)

Hi Sue! I don't have permission to view your attachments. =( Can't see the pictures. I'm having my Catholic ceremony on April 19, 2013. How many guests did you have?

Thanks Ladyluck for your very extensive and detailed post! Congratulations to you!

Hi Claire and Palladium Brides!

So one month till our big day! I have yet to email Vanessa and Father Jorge Castaneda, the priest who is officiating our wedding, the Nihil Obstat. Two days ago our parish priest informed us that we need to complete the Prenuptial Investigation form before the archdiocese has to issue the Nihil Obstat ( permission to wed at another parish). We had to answer about 18 questions. It pretty much asks if we have come on our own free will to mary each other (not a shotgun wedding) and that we're not related. We're in love and we're clearly not related lol.

I'm so anxious about getting that letter already! This is a big deal especially when we want to get married in the Church!

I have yet to print out our missalettes.

 My cousin is on vacation in the Philippines and she's picking up my gown,our mothers gowns and my flowergirl's gown while she's there.  It's custom made by one of Asia's finest couturiers, Edward Teng. I've emailed him just like I have with all our vendors in Mexico. I love his beadwork.

All I did was email my measurements and he designed a one of a kind gown that would suit my bodytype. He emailed me about four sketches until I decided on the one I love. So anxious to get the gown already!  

 What else? I pretty much have to delegate family and friends to carry some wedding paraphernalia like candles, pillows, etc.

I have to get my hair cut, get gel mani and pedi, and pay off our vendors all within the month!

Hopefully everything gets delivered! I'll post pics and reviews once we're back.

Have fun planning!

Hi Ladies! Wow! We're all in a planning frenzy! I know I am! I have a month till my Big Day! Thank you for the compliments on the gown! Crestena- I love your favor ideas! The maracas are so cute! I met Vanessa Roldan last year when we checked out GP. She is very sweet and very knowledgeable. She's very good in answering emails. Someone who goes above and beyond deserves a big tip! Claire- I booked AGI Tours last year and they were excellent! We got to GP in 45 minutes! I booked them again this year with 6 other passengers since they booked the same flight as us. Just waiting on the Nihil Obstat as required by the Catholic Church. So anxious about it but I know it'll come in time. I hope my dress comes in and I fit in it!

I was beginning to say.. What we all have in common is we all decided on doing an intimate wedding with our nearest and dearest in a beautiful tropical setting!

Welcome to the forum, Carlotta! Congratulations! You'll find so much infomation here. I agree with MyTye2B, your English is just fine =) The Gazebo is such a romantic place to say I do! I witnessed a wedding there when I visited Grand Palladium last year. It was just magical! We are all doing something a little different with our weddings but what we have in common is So girls, my sister also my matron of honor threw a beautiful surprise bridal shower for me yesterday! She had rented a hall and hired a comedienne to entertain. I don't know how she did it but she pulled off a great job. We played games, drank mimosas, laughed like crazy! Thank you for the compliment on the gown, MyTye2B! I am so excited! Crestena's gown is lovely! I adore Shayla's gown! Love that bright sash! It really popped in the underwater photos. I think I'll do donations as well. I originally wanted to do M&M's but I was afraid they would melt. I love gummi bears and swedish fish but I'm adding those to the OOT bags. Gonna hit up Walmart in Playa del Carmen and pick those up so I don't have to shlep those in the luggage. So donations to Pancreatic Cancer Research in honor of Dad would be the next choice.

Anyone doing favors? If so, what are they? I still haven't decided since we are giving our guests OOT bags.

Originally Posted by jengullage 

 

Hi everyone,

 

It's been over a week since I have been able to get on here but a lot has happened since I have been on! I love reading everyone's posts!

 

Lauren and Karen- Thank you for all of your advice.  I think you are right I will invite anyone that I would like to be apart of that day, and those who did not know me as well at the time of invitations will understand and Im sure will not think ill of me inviting them-I certainly wouldn't if I was in their shoes.  I think too much "politics" and "etiquette" as you mentioned is put into a wedding, and when it all boils down to it, each situation is different and it really should be a happy time!  I think I worry too much about what other people think, when I should do what is right for me.  So I am throwing etiquette out of the window and going with the flow!

 

Lauren- I am not planning on having an AHR because we are putting all of our money into the actual wedding I wouldn't be able to afford anything at all, not even a backyard gettogether.  My mom had mentioned my Opa putting something together possibly as in something small, but nothing has been said to me about it yet.  I think an AHR is a lovely idea and would do it if I could but I just don't have the means for it, nor can I imagine going through the invitation process again!!

 

I also think it is perfectly normal and acceptable (but even still we are not worried about etiquette right ) to invite those ppl that declined the wedding invitation to the shower.  They probably would be expecting to get the shower invite and that may be their only way of "showing you they are there for your big day" and if you were to not invite them, they could feel snuffed or left out, and that wouldn't be good.  I would totally invite them, and if they can't make it then that would be for them to decide, but at least you included them!

 

It sounds like you have lots of people that care about making this special for you, for throwing little showers for you.  Enjoy it and don't worry too much about it. We only get to be brides once (thats our goal anyways haha) so live it up!!  Oh and about worrying about you having a different meal than your guests-I would not even give that a second thought-it is your wedding so eat whatever you want! Especially since you CAN'T eat what everyone else is eating.  Besides, the only people that would even really notice would be the people sitting up with you.  I would not notice as a guest, and even if i did I wouldn't think anything of it! 

 

I also agree with Chrestena with the OOT bags- that they are PLENTY enough. I am sorry to hear about your daughter, doing the donation in memory of your daughter Avery is a lovely idea and so sweet.  I am opting for not doing OOT bags only because I don't want the hassle of trying to bring everything down with me, and my guests are all on the same flight as me so going to get the stuff in mexico wouldn't be an option for us.  So we are going to do favours but we have NO clue yet what to do! I wanted to do our favourite candies (him gummy bears and mine m&m's) in our wedding colours (coral and torquoise) but I am worried about them melting!  And I don't want to get something that the guests just toss to the side-at least you can eat candy!   But we have some time still to figure that one out.  My husband's family is all from Mexico so I don't know if doing a traditional Mexican favour would be as unique as it would be received by my family.

 

Karen- we have decided to do a scavenger hunt as well but havn't started compiling our list yet.  I was going to sneak a peek at yours for some ideas but I can't load it (could be that my work has blocked it haha) so i will try again at home.  Are you offering a prize for it? Are you going to print it out and give it to your guests and then give them a timeline or how do you think you will organize it?

 

Shayla- Congratulations on your wedding! Your pictures are so pretty and it makes me look forward to doing this myself all that much more!  How and when did you choose your bouquet flowers/bouteneirs/and flowers for decoration at the ceremony site and reception? Did you send her pictures or choose from her email selections, and when did you finalize it all? Do they have a large selection of flowers to choose from on site all the time or should I be requesting ahead of time? 

 

You had mentioned that a wedding group got kicked out of the restaurant after their cake cutting and that makes me super nervous because we were "thinking" of chosing that option since it was free-but my fiance is concerned with the short time frame they give us and knowing this would solidify him choosing the private reception-even if its a couple thousand dollars...  I have a question about the decoration of the room for the reception-we chose La Laguna, how much does it cost to have the fabric, lights flowers etc to decorate that room? (if you dont mind me asking) I know the dinner is 50-60 per plate, but I don't know the cost of decoration.  I want to make sure it doesnt look bare in there (since we are only going to have around 20 guests) i want to ensure its decorated very nicely.

 

 

We are doing all of the legal stuff here in Canada first (although we have not even began to look into how or when to do that yet) also, and we are having a "vow renewal" ceremony however NONE of our guests will know this, so we are also keeping it a secret so it's great to know that they do a great job at keeping the ceremony as if it were legally binding.  Perez and Claire we are all within three weeks of each other! We are staying for two weeks (arriving on the 7th) and so we may just run into one another or maybe see another's wedding taking place!  I hope they all are amazing!

 

Sarah519-I don't know if it has changed, but when I was asking about a beach party I was told they didn't do that, and couldn't do a beach reception, but maybe it has changed since then! That would be amazing and I would totally love that!

 

What is everyone's men wearing for shoes?? Johnny and his best man are wearing light grey linen pants and a white linen shirt from Tommy Bahama's but hasn't decided on footware yet.  Also for the ladies? I am not sure what we should do.  At first I thought of foot jewelry but then I realized the sand could be really hot on my feet so Ive decided against it.

 

Im also having a rough go at finding a bright coral dress for my bridesmaid.  At david's bridal the coral they showed me wasn't bright it was soft, and I thought since i only have one girl, maybe the malls would have bright coral but I am not having any luck.  Anyone see anything in any malls around them that was a nice bright coral that would suit for a bridesmaid dress?? I live near London Ontario and would travel a bit to go to a store that had something not too expensive!

 

Wow this is long lol, I am going to put these fingers to rest now!

-Jen

Hi Jengullage,

If you have around 20 guests you don't have to pay for te $50-60 dinner. You pay if you have over 40 guests. They would section off part of a restaurant. They usually do Portofino. There is a section outside that's similar to la Laguna The ceiling decorations are $150.They also do lanterns for each table free. They also decorate the floor going up La Laguna with floor lanterns also free. La Laguna is one of the open air buffets. I saw the choices for flowers and they are so pretty. Vanessa Roldan sent me designs and prices of flowers from Casa Narciso.I actually booked with Vanessa Jaimes. Her prices are lower.

Your choice for of outfits sounds wonderful! The colors will really pop! The sand does get hot during the day. Flipflops are def the way to go!

Omygosh! 87 Shayla, your pictures came out so beautifully! I hope my TTD comes out just as nice as yours!

50 more days and counting for my wedding in April 19!! Vanessa Roldan said that she can do a little bit of a rehearsal at the Church without the priest the night before our big day.

Right now I'm still waiting on other guests to book their hotel and flights. Still waiting on six guests!

My gown is being made in the Philippines. It's been a difficult process since I can't actually try out the gown and feel the material. I have a girlfriend who had her gown done by Edward Teng. The gown came with accessories liek the veils and garter, candles, matching ring pillow, coins, gloves, and clutch bag.

I just went on the website and posted my measurements on EdwardTeng.com. He emailed me back with prices and packages. He sent me 4 sketches until I decided on this gown. He's sent me pics of updates on the gowns.

My cousin went back there to pick my gown, the flowergirl, my mother's , FMI, and Mike's aunt's gowns. I'm so anxious! I just want that gown to get here safe. Mike is so much taller than me too so I'll def be wearing heels! I bought wedge flipflops for my aching tootsies for later in the reception.

I have to print out the wedding programs, waiting on the Nihil Obstat from our parsih priest, and the gowns!